2022 Olympics: Breaking down Team USA’s roster for Beijing
The U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team is set, with the final roster unveiled earlier today. USA Hockey is planning to lean more heavily on college hockey players with a smattering of experienced professionals, most with NHL experience, dotting the lineup as well.
The U.S. is banking on the young players on the cusp of NHL careers to be the ones that can carry the team vs. players that already had a chance or are on the back nine while in Europe. It is a calculated risk, but one that is likely guided by the success of the three college players that were regulars on the 2018 U.S. Olympic Team – Troy Terry, Ryan Donato and Jordan Greenway. Those three players were among USA’s best. The problem was, there weren’t enough of them and the Americans won just two games in PyeongChang. Of the 11 goals they scored in the tournament, five came off the stick of Donato, with Terry collecting five assists.
The U.S. roster is made up of 15 NCAA players, with five KHLers, two from the SHL, two from the AHL and one from the DEL. Thirteen of the 25 players were drafted by NHL teams, two more will be signed by NHL teams as undrafted free agents. One other, potential starting goalie Strauss Mann, is a free agent that should be getting some NHL looks based on his stellar play in Sweden. Many of these players will be in the mix to make NHL rosters as early as later this season.
The two most notable prospects are 2020 No. 5 overall pick Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators) and last year’s No. 2 pick, Matty Beniers (Seattle Kraken). Brendan Brisson (Vegas Golden Knights) is the third and final first-round pick on the team.
So who are these guys? Let’s take a look.
Goaltenders
Drew Commesso, Boston University (CHI): He was supposed to be the U.S. Junior team’s No. 1 this year and was a second-round pick by Chicago in 2020. Though his numbers are down this season, Commesso is a highly-regarded young goaltender who is technically sound and has no panic in his game. His maturity has been lauded by prior coaches and there’s a chance he could sneak some starts for the Americans despite being just 19.
Strauss Mann, Skellefteå: Having a great season in the SHL (Sweden), Mann was a standout in the NCAA the previous two seasons with Michigan. He hasn’t had a save percentage below .930 since he was a freshman and is at .930 in the SHL right now. It’s been a strong run for a goalie who probably has the inside track to start.
Pat Nagle, Lehigh Valley Phantoms: The elder statesman in net, Nagle has been a journeyman goalie throughout the minors. An All-American at Ferris State, the 34-year-old has seen time in the AHL, but has primarily played in the ECHL, where he has logged 340 games with a career .913 save percentage and remarkable 198-85-36 record.
Defensemen
Brian Cooper, IK Oskarshamn: A former captain at Nebraska Omaha and a fifth-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks way back in 2012, Cooper didn’t make it to the show, but he’s carved out a solid pro career. He has nine points in 30 SHL games this season.
Brock Faber, Minnesota (LAK): A second-round pick who has out-played his draft status is a high-end two-way defenseman who was part of the last two U.S. World Junior teams, winning gold in 2021. Faber’s skating is a huge strength, but his hockey sense is what makes him one of the elite defenders in college hockey.
Drew Helleson, Boston College (COL): An unsung hero of the 2021 U.S. World Junior Team, Helleson has shown this season that there’s more offense in his game as he’s taken the puck up ice a lot more for Boston College.
Steven Kampfer, Ak Bars Kazan: With 30 points in 46 KHL games, going overseas has brought out the best in the 33-year-old’s game. He is a veteran of 231 NHL games and was a Black Ace with the Boston Bruins during their Stanley Cup season in 2011.
Aaron Ness, Providence Bruins: A one-time second-round pick of the New York Islanders in 2008, Ness appeared in 72 total NHL games. He spent most of his pro career in the AHL, where he’s appeared in 561 AHL games and has 267 points from the back end. This will be his first national team appearance since playing in U18 Worlds in 2008.
Nick Perbix, St. Cloud State (TBL): A big two-way defenseman, Perbix lacks international experience, but has been a steady presence for St. Cloud State, which has been one of the top programs in the country over the last half decade.
Jake Sanderson, North Dakota (OTT): He might be just 19, but there’s a good case that Sanderson is this team’s best defenseman. He was captain of the most recent U.S. World Junior Team that didn’t get to see it through and may now be a No. 1 against pros. An elite skater, Sanderson’s offensive game has taken off this season to go along with his already high-end defensive capabilities.
David Warsofsky, Ingolstadt: Now in Europe after spending most of his career in North America, Warsofsky has 476 AHL games under his belt to go along with 55 in the NHL. He’s worn the USA jersey at multiple levels including the men’s World Championship, World Juniors and World U18s.
Forwards
Nick Abruzzese, Harvard (TOR): A speedy, shifty forward who missed all of last season with Harvard’s athletics shut down during the pandemic, Abruzzese has been on fire this year with 21 points in just 13 games. He is averaging 1.48 points per game during his collegiate career.
Kenny Agostino, Torpedo: A veteran of 86 NHL games, Agostino spent a lot of time in the AHL where he was a highly-productive player with 317 career points. He took his talents to Russia this year and has 40 points in 46 games.
Matty Beniers, Michigan (SEA): The No. 2 pick in last year’s draft and first-ever pick by the Seattle Kraken, Beniers has been a two-way stalwart for the Americans at various levels. He was an alternate captain on the last WJC team, won gold the year before and also played at the Men’s World Championship last year to help USA win bronze.
Brendan Brisson, Michigan (VGK): A high-end goal scorer in college hockey, Brisson has 14 goals in 23 games so far this season. He was part of last year’s World Junior team and was a first-round pick in 2020. He also set a record for most points by a U.S. player at the World Junior A Challenge in 2019.
Noah Cates, Minnesota Duluth (PHI): A national champion with UMD, Cates is a hard-driving forward that can be physical and grind it out with the best of them. The Flyers draft pick is a top-six player in college but may be down the lineup here. He won silver at the 2019 World Juniors in Vancouver and surprised many when he decided to return for one more year of college hockey.
Sean Farrell, Harvard (MTL): A speedy forward who makes up for a lack of size with incredible tenacity, Farrell was the USHL MVP last season before heading to Harvard, delayed a year by the pandemic. He’s been a top producer for the Crimson and was part of the U18 Team that was led by Jack Hughes, Cole Caufield and Trevor Zegras just a few short years ago.
Sam Hentges, St. Cloud State (MIN): A skilled forward who can be creative and make some plays, Hentges has been a solid performer at St. Cloud where he’s been a key forward. He has nine points in seven games so far this season.
Matthew Knies, Minnesota (TOR): One of Team USA’s youngest players, Knies was drafted in 2021 in the second round but has quickly shown that might have been a bit late. The massive power forward has a great combination of size and skill that has allowed him to dominate as a true freshman. He’s a needed element on USA’s forward attack.
Marc McLaughlin, Boston College (UFA): A defensive standout who just so happens to be averaging a point per game over the last two seasons of college hockey, McLaughlin is the reigning defensive forward of the year in Hockey East. He’s been a two-year captain at Boston College and is lauded for his incredible character and work ethic. He should be a PK, grinding element for USA in this tournament.
Ben Meyers, Minnesota (UFA): Arguably the most sought-after free agent in college hockey this season, Meyers is a tenacious forward who gets in on the forecheck as well as anyone. NHL teams also like the speed and offense he brings to the table. He’s produced wherever he’s been, but has slipped through the draft multiple times. He may be able to pick his team of choice in the offseason as a free agent.
Andy Miele, Torpedo: The 2011 Hobey Baker winner has been an all-star at the AHL level, but only managed 15 NHL games. The undersized, but highly-skilled Miele has found a second life in Europe, where he’s been a high-end producer. He played three of the last four years in the KHL, putting up 112 points in 163 games and is now teammates with fellow Olympian Kenny Agostino.
Brian O’Neill, Jokerit: The only returning player from the 2018 Olympics, O’Neill was the only non NCAA player to have more than two points in PyeongChang. He was third on the team with four points. At Jokerit since 2016-17, he’s been one of the best Americans to ever suit up in the KHL. He has 268 points in 311 KHL games including 42 in 41 this season. He has appeared in 22 NHL games.
Nick Shore, Novosibirsk: A veteran of 299 NHL games, Shore has been a high-end two-way forward for much of his career. He is currently in the KHL, his second stint in the league, and already has 25 points in 48 games. He won a World U18 gold medal in 2010, which was the last time he suited up for Team USA.
Nathan Smith, Minnesota State (WPG): A first-time international opportunity for Smith, the Minnesota State center has been one of college hockey’s best players this season and could be in line for the Hobey Baker. Smith has 27 points in 21 games and if he doesn’t sign with Winnipeg, a lot of teams will be interested. His game has grown a ton over his collegiate career.